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Tingum Village
You can probably find some good deals online, but as you know, the best deal you can get is by knowing someone. So, when you make your reservations...
To get the hookup tell Juanita that Adam from NYC sent ya!
So that you know some background on me, I'm 7' tall, and wear all black. This way you know she'll know who you're talking about =)
This is by far the best place on Harbour Island to stay at. Every time I go to the Bahamas, I go to Harbour Island, and I always stay at Tingum Village. They have the best staff, quietest rooms, and the owners are the nicest people in the world!
These rustic cottages have high pine ceilings, sea-colored furnishings, netting above the king-size beds, and two-person whirlpool tubs overlooking the yard's gardens out of floor-to-ceiling corner windows. In front of the hotel is Ma Ruby's Restaurant, home of Jimmy Buffet's original "Cheeseburger in Paradise," where you can sample Bahamian food on a breezy covered patio three times daily.  Leave room for Ma Precentie's home-baked bread, coconut tarts, key lime pie, or pound cake. Tingum Village is on the town's south end and a short walk from Harbour Island's famous pink-sand beach.
This place is full of charm. Set on quiet little Harbour Island, just off Eleuthera, Tingum is a casual retreat offering 3 miles of unspoiled pink sand beach, a casual atmosphere and Ma-Ruby's home cookin'. Claiming to be the proud home of "Cheeseburgers in Paradise" as featured in Jimmy Buffet's Parrot Head Hand Book. Ma Ruby confirmed it and she added that sometimes when Jimmy is in the Caribbean, he will stop on Harbour Island just to have one of Ma Ruby's cheeseburgers and will only then continue on his journey. Once you have had one of Ma Ruby's cheeseburgers, you will understand.
We visited Tingum in January and found it to be quite a sanctuary for rest and relaxation. The cottages are presented residential style in green, lush tropical surroundings.  There are no phones or televisions in the rooms. The rooms are simple but clean and comfortable and equipped with ceiling fans and air-conditioning. Each cottage has a rather large terrace for relaxing after a long day of adventures or great for, as we found, spreading your dive equipment out to dry. Make sure you have plenty of mosquito repellent; the mosquitos were fierce, as they are everywhere in the Caribbean.
One of our favorite beaches in the Caribbean is just a short hike from Tingum Village. You must have your walking shoes on because the path can be challenging. It's all worth it though, when you top over the last hill and take in this picturesque beach of pink sand and clear blue sea. We were simply amazed at the lifelessness of this beautiful beach. It was like having your own private beach and ocean. You can find watersports further down the beach at one of the other resorts or on the other side of town near the harbour.  Harbour Island is a big fishing and yachting community which is what most of the conversations here center around. However, you can find diving at Valentine's, a full-service dive operation located in the harbour.
If you are looking for a quiet, peaceful retreat where time slows down and being casual and friendly is the norm rather than the exception; where you can get to know the other guests or just be alone; where you can experience some wonderful fruity drinks and good bahamian cooking with a smile; then come and visit Ma Ruby and Tingum Village. No frills just an affordable tropical haven.
Country: Bahamas
Address: P.O. Box 61
Harbour Island, Bahamas
Location: Colebrook St, Around the Island
Phone: 242-333-2161
Fax: 242-333-2161
Room Information: 19 units
Prices: Winter $125-$150 standard one bedroom suites, $175-$250 two bedroom suites, $300 cottage (5 bedrooms); off season runs about 20% less. It's best just to call =)
Credit Cards: Master Card, Visa
In Room Amenities: TV, A/C, kitchenettes (suites), coffeemaker (in some), hair dryer (in some), no phone... it's vacation!
Frommer's Review
This is a simple, no-frills choice, but it does the trick at bargain prices and draws a loyal repeat business. It lies just off the main street, a 3-minute walk to the beach. Set in a steamy tropical garden, Tingum Village offers basic accommodations in small cement-sided bungalows. Each of the rooms has air-conditioning, ceiling fans, and a patio with plastic furniture, plus a small bathroom with a shower stall. Rooms aren't the most comfortable, and you'll really wish they'd improve the wattage in the reading lamps, and that the ceiling fans wouldn't squeak. But it has its charming moments as well. The cottage is meant for 6 to 8 people, though it can hold up to 10 (but that would be very cramped). The hotel's restaurant, Ma Ruby's, overlooks the garden and offers standard Bahamian and American food.
Facilities:
Restaurant; bar; limited room service; babysitting; laundry service; nonsmoking rooms; rooms for those w/limited mobility
Food:
While you're there, you HAVE to have one of Ma Ruby's world famous cheeseburgers! I'm not just saything this either! She's been hand picked by people like Jimmy Buffet (who is considered the best cheeseburger conasure out there). The first time I stayed here, I lived off the things. You will never have a better burger in your life. I can promise you that! There is also a full resturant service for breakfast, lunch and dinner (Ma Ruby's). It's so good that it's even been featured on the Travel Chanel!
Newest Addition:
A 5 bedroom beach house that is VERY high-end. This thing has three floors, a jacuzzi on the roof, heateds wimming pool with a waterfall, and a wet & dry bar! The next time I'm there, I'll grab some photos. The place is amazing!
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More Photos of Tingum Village:
If you're looking for some books on the Bahamas, here's a list of the top 10 from Amazon.com:
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